The Phillies released Willis today after he struggled in camp, allowing five earned runs in 2 3/3 innings. It would be a bit of a longshot for the Rockies, but they could use more left-handed bullpen options. Read more…

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Jim Tracy’s contract extension brought congratulations and confusion this morning. Several players interviewed were pleased to learn that their manager has a new “handshake” agreement, but were unsure what “indefinite” entailed.

“What does that mean? I have never heard of that,” reliever Matt Belise said. “But what it says to me is the confidence that they have him. They have worked hard to change the clubhouse culture, and they believe and trust him to be captain of this ship. I like the idea of knowing he’s going to be here for a long time.”

Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie delivers a pitch against the Rockies on June 9, 2007 in Baltimore.

I won’t get a chance to meet Jeremy Guthrie until next week in spring training, but I’ve had a chance to speak with him on the phone a couple of times, including Wednesday when I conducted our “Fan Mail” interview with him.

A few observations:

• Guthrie is “colorful,” and I mean that as a compliment. He likes to ride his bike to work. He listens to Justin Bieber (I’m serious) and doesn’t care who knows it. He collects basketball shoes (Air Jordans, 370 pairs and counting). He plays chess (now that Huston Street is gone, who’s he going to play with?).

DENVER — It’s impossible to overstate the importance of Jhouyls Chacin to the Rockies. With a breakthrough performance, the rotation becomes sturdier, and since the team’s season appears to hinge on its starters at this point a 200-inning, 3.30 ERA effort from the young right-hander would go a long way in making the Rockies competitive.

General manager Dan O’Dowd told The Post last week that he was “not happy” with Chacin’s offseason, concerned about his weight and the inability to reach him at times after the pitcher decided to train in Venezuela rather than Arizona. A source close to Chacin — one that talks regularly with him — said in the same story that the right-hander was working out and would report to spring close to last year’s weight.

What that weight was exactly is a bit of a question. Chacin said last February upon arriving in spring training that he had lost “5-to-6 pounds” after finishing the 2010 season at 228 pounds. O’Dowd praised his appearance then, telling the Post, “We didn’t babysit him. The players have to have accountability and self discipline to do it or you don’t have a really good player. When we saw Jhoulys at Fanfest (in 2011), it was like, ‘Wow, this guy has really worked.’^’’

Colorado infielder Mark Ellis makes a force at second base on a double play against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 15, 2011, at Coors Field.

The Rockies’ desire to keep Mark Ellis had limits.

They were comfortable bringing him back as their starting second baseman, but were seeking a one-year deal in the neighborhood of $3-million plus with a club option.

When the Miami Marlins signed Omar Infante to a two-year, $8-million deal in September, the landscaped changed, decreasing the likelihood that Ellis would return.

That played out today as the veteran agreed in principle to a two-year, $8.75-million contract, a deal first reported by ESPN.com’s Buster Olney. The Dodgers moved quickly to replace infielder Jamey Carroll, another Rockies’ target who landed in Minnesota on a two-year, $7-million contract over the weekend.

Just three days after his stunning debut with the Rockies, Drew Pomeranz, the key to sealing the Ubaldo Jimenez trade, underwent an emergency appendectomy Saturday night in Tulsa. Given the typical recovery time of two-to-three weeks, Pomeranz’s season is likely over.

Steve Rath, the left-hander’s agent, confirmed the news first tweeted out by the Tulsa Drillers. Rath said that Pomeranz’s appendix did not burst. He remained hospitalized overnight. Pomeranz, a 6-foot-5-inch, 240-pound starter was acquired as the player to be named later in the Jimenez deal. It was the worst kept secret in baseball.

Pomeranz couldn’t join the Rockies until Aug. 17, a year after he signed with the Indians following the 2010 draft. There was an outside chance that Pomeranz would have made at least one start with the Rockies this September until Saturday’s emergency.

The Rockies will take on $1 million of the roughly $3 million owed Ellis. He will be uniform Friday and is scheduled to hit second and start at second base.

“We know he’s winning player. We have guys who were teammates with him. He’s a good defender, another veteran guy who has a presence and feel for the game at a time when we are breaking a lot of young players,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said.

Todd Helton’s revival can be traced in part to rest. He’s been smarter about days off this season, listening to his body more acutely than a year ago when he admittedly ran himself into the ground with back and leg injuries in late June.

As planned, Helton is getting a day off today in the series finale at Cleveland. The Rockies are looking for their first road sweep since April 14 when they completed a four-game brooming of the New York Mets. Ty Wigginton shifts to first base and rookie Charlie Blackmon also gets his first day out of the lineup, replaced by Ryan Spilborghs.

If Ian Stewart has his way his left hamstring won’t leave him left off the opening day roster. Stewart went 3-for-7 as a designated hitter in a minor league game Wednesday, delivering two home runs. His two blasts went to left field, and he singled to center. He also walked twice.

He had no issue with his leg injury, but still has a final hurdle to clear. Stewart is scheduled to play 5-to-6 innings at third base in Scottsdale on Thursday, while hitting third in the lineup in the intrasquad game. If he passes that test, he should be boarding plane to join the Rockies on opening day. At least that’s this goal.

“I am pretty sure (will be in Denver) if all goes well. But I can’t tell you 100 percent until I am headed there,” Stewart told The Denver Post.

Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook may open the season at the team's No. 4 or No. 5 starter. Or he may not.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The trick to covering spring training isn’t just writing the stories after they happen. The trick is to anticipate them before they happen.

Which brings us to Aaron Cook.

I want to be very clear here. There’s no story involving Cook right now other than a bit of shoulder soreness and a quick bout with a flu bug. In the end, the story may be that his shoulder responds quickly and he’s in the rotation by next week.

The Rockies and Ian Stewart avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal.

Third baseman Ian Stewart’s new contract reveals his potential and problem. Arbitration-eligible for the first time, Stewart jumped from roughly 400,000 to $2.2875 million, The Denver Post has learned.

Stewart is worth the money as a power hitter. But once a player starts making real cash, production replaces patience. General manager Dan O’Dowd has said that Stewart must have a sense of urgency this season, that the window of opportunity is closing to prove he’s an everyday, core player.

Stewart, 25, hit .256 in 441 plate appearances last year. He finished with 18 home runs and 61 RBIs, but an obligue injury sabotaged his final numbers. On pace to set career highs, Stewart notched only 15 at-bats in September and October, eventually losing time to Melvin Mora.

Stewart has worked with new hitting instructor Carney Lansford this offseason. The goal is for to Stewart to drive the ball more consistently to the opposite field. The slugger has also decided to back off the plate, which should help reduce the number of strikeouts on inside pitches.

The former first-round draft-choice can make an additional $12,500 if he reaches 502 plate appearances and $25,000 each for 500 and 600 plate appearances.

Jason Giambi’s deal provides flexibility for the player. While general manager Dan O’Dowd expects Giambi to make the Rockies — he profiles as their version of Matt Stairs — there is protection for both parties if it doesn’t work out.

According to the contract details obtained by The Denver Post, Giambi can request his release on March 31 or June 1 for a position with another team if he’s not on the Rockies’ 25-man roster. His deal calls for an $850,000 salary this season, with $250,000 guaranteed if he’s cut in spring training (that’s highly unlikely if club sticks to plan of keeping just four outfielders). There’s a mutual option for $1 million in 2012 with a $150,000 buyout.

[media-credit name=”David Zalubowski, special to The Denver Post” align=”alignright” width=”265″][/media-credit]

Jason Giambi.

Not only is Jason Giambi back on a one-year, $1-million minor-league deal, but he has a real chance to make the Rockies. General manager Dan O’Dowd spoke with colleague Jim Armstrong today, spelling out how Giambi could stick with the club despite a glut of backup first basemen. He did this while finishing a two-year, $6.6-million deal with reliever Matt Lindstrom that includes a club option for his first year of free ageny in 2013.

The key? The Rockies are prepared to go with four outfielders — Carlos Gonzalez, Dexter Fowler, Seth Smith and Ryan Spilborghs — which could free up a roster spot for a slugging pinch-hitter like Giambi. This is possible because Ty Wigginton can play the corner outfield spots and Jon Herrera, the Rockies believe, can move out to left field in a pinch.

The Rockies pulled off another mild surprise today, signing reliever Matt Lindstrom to a two-year deal with a club option in his first year of free agency in 2013.

The Rockies’ commitment to their foundation players began with Troy Tulowitzki, but it won’t end there.

Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said moments after the press conference announcing Tulo’s seven-year, $134-million contract that he had reached out to Ubaldo Jimenez and Carlos Gonzalez to let them know the team wants to retain them indefinitely.

O’Dowd talked to CarGo’s agent, Scott Boras, about a long-term deal, but it wasn’t a fit given Boras’ philosophy of taking players into free agency as soon as possible. Jimenez last year signed a four-year, $10-million contract that would grow to six years and $22.75 if the Rockies pick up club options in 2013 and 2014.

Jimenez’s contract is very club friendly given his breakout 2010 season, when he won 19 games with a 2.88 ERA. O’Dowd is sensitive that that and felt compelled to call Jimenez, given the magnitude of Tulowitzki’s contract.

“We’re open to anything,” said O’Dowd, when asked about what he was willing to do for Jimenez.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.